A day after the model code of conduct came into force ahead of the Lok Sabha election, the BMC has instructed civic officials to remove all hoarding and banners displayed at public or private places in the next 24 hours. He has also instructed the ward officials to ensure that the hoarding does not come up again. In the last two days, over 12,000 posters and banners have been removed from the city.
The decision was taken in a meeting conducted by the municipal commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal in the BMC headquarters on Monday. The meeting was attended by additional commissioners Ashiwini Bhide, Dr Ashwini Joshi, Dr Sudhakar Shinde, Mumbai city collector Sanjay Yadav and Mumbai Suburb collector Rajendra Kshirsagar and all the other civic officials.
All the assistant municipal commissioners of the 25 administrative wards were instructed to take down all the existing posters and banners of all sorts within the next 24 hours.
Chahal has also instructed the ward officials to set up a monitoring team that will keep a close watch so that the repeat offenders don't put up the banners again even after removing them. The civic team can register a complaint against the offenders.
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"A single window system will be introduced, and a nodal officer will be appointed in the civic wards to permit political hoardings, banners, posters during the election period. However, any failure or delay to comply with the model code of conduct will result in disciplinary action or suspension," said a senior civic official.
The BMC has taken frequent special drives during the last year, especially after the festive season, against illegal banners after a directive from Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The highest number of 9,802 illegal banners were removed in September and 8,226 in October. However, the illegal banners, especially of political parties, continue to deface prime locations across the city.
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